Tube frame for axminster looms



Dec. 4, 1951 o. v. PAYNE TUBE FRAME FOR AHVIINSTER Looms Filed July 3, 1948 IN VE-NTOR ATTORNEY I FIG.8 0 4 OSCAR v. PAY N E Emi Ell E Patented Dec. 4, 1951 Oscar Payne, Leicester, Mass, assignor to Crompton '& Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass, a corporation. of Massachusetts Application July 3, 1948, Serial"N-'o. 36,982

13*Ciaims.

This invention relatesto improvements in tube frames for Axm'i'nster looms, and it is the general object 'of the invention to provide the yarn'tubes of the tube frame with yarn receiving mouths shaped and disposed for use with large yarns and also facilitate the entry of knots into the tubes.

The tube frame of an Axmi'nster loom ordinarily comprises a carrier bar on which is rotatably mounted a spoolhaving aseri'es of vari-- ously colored tuft yarns wound thereon in accordance with the pattern requirement. The yarns pass through aligned yarn tubes which are secured to the front of the carrier bar which extends "lengthwise of the tube frame. In the past it has'b'een customary to form the upper end of each yarn tube with a rectangular yarn receiving mouth which is considerably longer measured transversely of the tube framethan it is'wide measured lengthwise of the-tube frame. The width of the mouth according toprior'prac-- ticehas been determined by the spacing of the yarn tubes on the tube frame. If for instance there are seven yarn tubes to the inch the yarn receiving mouth can be no wider 'than' 77' wide.

When large diameter yarns are used andparticularly when there are knots in the yarns itis found that the mouths as made heretofore are "not sufliciently wide. It is an important objectof the present invention to change-the shape of the yarn receiving mouth so that it will be wider than has been possible according to prior practice. In order that the mouths may be wider than formerly theyare arranged in rows located at different distance from the carrier bar. The rear se'torrow will be close to the bar, while the other or front set or row will be'epaced forwardly from the bar. By such an arrange-- ment each mouthcan be wider than thespace' assigned to: its tube measured along: the length. of the carrierbar.

"In the usual tube frame the tufty'arn'si extend in eloseorder in 'a single sheet or plane from theyam spool to the yarn tubes, and because of" this fact it is difficult for a knot 'to' "turn to: facilitate entry into its mouth, particularly .if' the: ends of the mouth are held by adjacent yarns. It is "a further object of theinven'tion toprovide "a tube framerso constructed with respect to "its yarn tubes that the yarns will lie two or more sheets or p1anes, :the yarnsvof: one set entering the mouths of the aforesaid front row and the yarns of the other set entering the: mouths vof'ithe 'backrow. .Inrthis'feature :ofthe invention itt"is= =desirab1e that adjacent be iFig 1,

in different sheets, and this result is accom-' plished by having successive mouths alternate with. each other with respect to their distance from the carrier bar.

The yarn-tubes are generally flat so they can be dipped between the warp threads of the loom. The tubes ordinarily have a straight yarn passage therethrough which lies between the flat sides of the tubeand its front and back edges, and the tuft yarn issues from adelivery mouth at the bottom of the tube. It is another object of the present invention to provide this general type of yarn tube with ayarn receiving mouth which ispreferably symmetrical about a plane a passing through the edges of the tube and locatedso-that-its center'wi-l l be atone side of the axial "center of the yarn passage. This latter feature permits the :sametype of tube to be assembled in rightand left hand order along the carrier bar.

I-Ieretofore the yarn passage has been of oval form in-cross section, the narrow part being forward. It is a further object'of the invention to make the yarn passage substantially elliptical in cross section so that the same type of yarn tube can be reversible to permit the mouths to lie in the aforesaid. rows. The yarn tubes can havetheir receiving mouths of various forms which should preferably approach a square, or be of such shape that a circle having a diameter greater than the center to center distance of the yarn tubes canbe inscribed within them.

For convenience of manufacture it is preferable to handle yarntubes in small groups, andto this end his afurther object of the invention -to provide a yarn tube unit" including a carrier member or plate to whichv the tubes are secured in any approved manner. Adjacent ends of adjacent yarn tube units are complementarily formed so that a mouth on one plate projectingbeyond the latter can'fit into a space on the other unit.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention' resides in the-combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the. accompanying drawings, wherein three forms of the invention are set forth:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one end of :a tube frame made according to the preferred. form of the invention, one of the tube frame transporting chains of the loom beingshown: in section,

Fig. 23 is :a. vertical section on line 2=-2 of Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view looking in the direction of arrow 3, Fig. 1,

Fig 4 is an enlarged horizontal section on line 44 of Fig. 1 through a group of yarn tubes showing the shape of the yarn passage when the latter is made according to usual practice,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section on line 5-5 of Fig.3, r

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the upper part of one of the yarn tube units looking in the direction of arrow 6, Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of part of a yarn tube unit made according to the first modification,

Fig. 8 is a plan view looking in the direction of arrow 8, Fig. 7, a

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical 'sectionon; line 99 of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the second modification of the invention wherein the yarn passages are substantially elliptical in cross section.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the tube frame designated generally at T includes in its construction a carrier bar it which may be tubular and of rectangular form as shown in Fig. 2. A yarn spool S is rotatably mounted on a bearing ll supported by and extending upwardly from the carrier bar. The spool is wound with a plurality of yarns Y which are variously colored to conform to the requirements of that part of the pattern which will be supplied by the tube frame.

One of the loom transporting chains i2 is indicated in section in Fig. 1 and its two links receive between them the tongue is of a bracket l4 secured to the carrier bar ID. A supporting hook I5'extends over one of the links of the chain when the tube frame is in the loom, but is moved to releasing position when the tube frame is moved to tuft forming position.

Arranged along the front wall [6 of the carrier bar I0 is a plurality of yarn tubes the preferred form of which is designated herein generall at 20. Each yarn tube has at the bottom thereof a yarn delivery mouth 2| at the lower end of a yarn passage 22, see Fig. 4. The upper parts of the tubes are secured to a support member or plate 23 forming part of a yarn tube unit to be described in detail hereinafter. The plate 23 may be secured as by screws 24 to the front wall l6 of the carrier bar.

The matter thus far described except the yarn tubes forms no part of the present invention and operates in the usual manner. During the latter part of a tuft forming operation the tube frame will be raised to pull off yarns for the next row of tufts which it will form, and during movement of the tube frame the spool S will turn in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 as the yarns Y move down through the yarn tubes 20. It is during this operation that large diameter yarns or knots are required to enter the tubes 20.

In carrying the preferred form of the invention into effect the upper ends of the tubes 20 are formed with yarn receiving mouths 25 of pentagonal form with an area shaped to facilitate the entry'of knots. As shown in Fig. 3 each mouth 25 has a relatively long straight side 26 and two shorter sides 21 and 28 perpendicular to the lon side and connecting with oblique sides 2 9 and 33. The sides 21 and 28 may be of the same length and the sides 29 and 30 may also be of the same length and preferably at the same angle with respect to the long side 26.

It will be noted from Fig. 3 that the mouths 25 are arranged in two rows, designated at 3| and 32. Row 3| is close to the support plate 23 and has the long edges 25 of the mouths extending along the plate, while the mouths of the front row 32 are all spaced from the plate. The centers of areas of the two rows are located on two lines at different distances from and parallel to the support plate and the carrier bar.

Each mouth 25 tapers down as at 35 to the corresponding yarn passage 22, see Fig. 5. The rear sides of the mouths of the rear row 3| lie flat against the plate 23, as do also the upper parts of the corresponding yarn tubes, whereas the mouths of the front row 32, being spaced forwardly from the plate 23, are inclined rearwardly as at 36 so that a length 31 of the yarn tube will lie along and be fastened to the plate 23.

Each tube will have right and left side walls 40 and 4! which extend between the front and rear edges 42 and 43, respectively, of the tube, see Fig. 4. It is the latter edge 43 which is secured by soldering 1 or welding to the plate 23 if the parts are metallic. If the tubes are made of plastic material the tubes may be cemented or formed integral with the plate 23. It will be understood from Fig. 4 that the long dimension of the cross section of the tube is transverse of the carrier bar I0, while the cross dimension measured lengthwise of the carrier'bar is much smaller.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the yarns Y are divided into front and back sheets or planes 45 and 46, the front sheet leading to the front row 32 of mouths and the rear sheet 45 leading to the back row 3| of mouths. The mouths are so disposed that adjacent threads or yarns are in different sheets and are at different distances from the carrier bar. By arranging the yarns in two'sheetsa knot in any particular yarn when approaching its receiving mouth will be spaced from the yarns at either side thereof and will be free to turn if necessary to facilitate entry into its mouth.

The first modification shown in Fig. 7 1s somewhat similar to the preferred form except that the mouths at the upper ends of the tubes are rectangular. These mouths are arranged in front and back rows 5| and 52, respectively, and each mouth-tapers down as at 53 to its yarn passage 22. As isthe case with the preferred formof the invention, mouths 50 of one row overlap the mouths of the other row in the direction of the length of the carrier bar and it is for this reason that the mouths can be made wider'than mouths are made as shown herein, however, they can be much wider than the space assignedto their tubes. If a finer gauge is required for the production of a" higher grade fabric and the center to center distance of the yarn tubes is /8" or /9" it becomes increasingly important to shape the mouths as set forth herein to permit entry of large yarns and knots.

The tubes shown in Figs. 3 and 8 can, if desired, have their yarn passages oval in cross section according to prior practice, as shown in Fig. 4. For economy of manufactura'however, it is de- 5. sirabl'e 'thatiall of the tubesrofi :fornr of the; invention be: the: same so.- 'thait'only one die or manufacturing operation will be; involved. When. this: practice. is followed the. tubes of -the rear row 3.21, for instance. referring to. Fig. can be: placed with theirmouthsas. shown, and; the: tubes for the front row can be reversed with. respect tathe. positinns. of their mouths and positioned astindicated in.Fig;;3..

' In order that the yarn tubes-maybe reversible their lower ends should have front: and back edges each shaped. to: enter the warp-shedsduring: the wiping-in operation. For this purpose thexyarn tubes: 60 otherwise. similar to- :tub'es z'li are made; of" el liptical cross section as shown in Figs :Each. tube 61) hasa yarn passage of greatest widtn approximately midway between the front and back edges 62 and 63, respectively...

and in whichiboth. edges are substantially the same width. This elliptical form of tube can be used with the mouths having either the pentagonal :or the rectangular mouths; but its use is optional.

When the tube frame is built with the yarn tube units already mentioned the adjacent ends of the units should be complementarily formed tonest :orfit each other so as not to interrupt the desired. arrangement of the mouths. :As shown in Fig. 3 for instance the right end mouth 25A of the left hand unit Ul extends somewhat beyond the right end of the corresponding plate 23 so that. it. can fit along. part of the mouth 25B of? thexright .A similar coitdition exists with respect to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, wherein one of the rectangular mouths 52A of unit U3 extends beyond its corresponding supporting plate to fit into a space 52B left on the adjacent unit U4 to the right thereof.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the yarns are divided into two sheets and the yarn receiving mouths are better suited to receive knots than formerly by the simple expedient of staggering the months to give them a width greater than the center to center distance of the tubes. The alternate tubes have their mouths spaced forwardly from the plate 23, while the intermediate tubes have their mouths close to the plate. It will also be seen from Figs. 3 and 8 that adjacent mouths are in different rows, a condition which effectively divides the yarns into the two sheets 45 and 46. The invention is not limited to the particular shape of mouth shown herein, since it will be within the spirit of the invention if the mouths are staggered as suggested in Figs. 3 and 8 and are generally of a form which will permit inscribing within them a circle the diameter of which is greater than the center to center distance of adjacent yarn tubes. It is believed obvious that the separation of the yarns into the two sheets can be effected by means other than the particular mouths set forth herein and for this purpose it will be sufficient if adjacent mouths are at different distances from the carrier bar. The receiving mouths preferably have all their dimensions measured transversely of the carrier bar greater than the center to center distance of adjacent tubes. While it is desirable to have certain parts of adjacent mouths contiguous as shown in both Figs. 3 and 5, this is not an essential relationship. Also, adjacent ends of the yarn tube units U are complementarily formed so that the mouths may have uninterrupted continuity in their rows. To accomplish this result it may be necessary that certain of the: yarn tubes project: beyond the ends :of" the carrier plates: 2 3.. The yam tubes are symmetrical :so: their months will fit together and so they can be assembled in reverse order, if desired.

I-lavingthusrdescribed the invention it. will be seen thatrchangcs and modifications of the foregoing specific idisclo'sure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Whatzis; claimediasnew is:

Axminster tube frame having a carrier barprovided'with yarn tubes. arranged ina single ro'w'onv the tube framereach tube having 'a yarn receiving mouth,ithe centers of the mouths of alternate tubes ibeing farther'from the carrier bar than the-centers. :of the mouths of the intermediate tubes.

ZLInuarrAxminstertube frame havinga carrier har'providediwitlrayarn-spool rotatably mounted.

thereon andzhavinga. m'ngle row of aligned yarn tubes thereon, eachyarn tubehavinga yarn receiving month, the centers of alternate mouths beingatagiven distance from the bar to receive certain. of the yarns. on the spool and the centers of the. intermediate: mouths being at a diiferent distance from the bar to receive other of the yarns. on the spool.

f3; Inl'an Axminster tube frame having a carrier barrwith a spool rotatably mounted thereon and having tuft-yarns wound thereon, yarn tubes arranged'siima single row on the bar and having yarn passages extending transverselylofthe spool and aligned lengthwise of the carrierbar, each tube having a yarn receiving mouth at the end of the passage thereof adjacent to said spool, the mouths having their centers at two difierent distances from the bar, certain of the yarns leading from the spool in one plane to the mouths of certain of said mouths and other of the yarns leading from the spool in a different plane to other of said mouths.

4. In an Axminster tube frame having a carrier bar with a yarn spool rotatably mounted thereon and having tuft yarns wound thereon, and a single row of aligned yarn tubes on the bar each having a yarn receiving mouth, said mouths being so disposed that the yarns leading from the spool to the mouths are in different planes.

5. An Axminster tube frame having a carrier bar provided with yarn tubes arranged in a single row on the carrier bar and spaced a given distance apart lengthwise of the carrier bar, each tube having a yarn receiving mouth the minimum transverse dimension of which is greater than said given distance, the centers of the mouths of adjacent tubes considered transversely of the carrier bar being at different distances from the latter.

6. An Axminster tube frame having a carrier bar provided with yarn tubes arranged side by side in a single row along the carrier bar and spaced apart a given center to center distance, said tubes having yarn receiving mouths the centers of certain of which are located at a distance from the carrier bar different from the distance of other of the mouths from the carrier bar, every transverse dimension of each mouth being greater than said center to center distance.

7. An Axminster tube frame having a carrier bar provided with yarn tubes arranged side by side in a single row along the carrier bar and spaced apart a given center to center distance, said tubes having yarn receiving mouths the centers of certain of which are farther from the carrier bar than the centers of other of the mouths,

each mouth capable of having inscribed therein a circle the diameter of which is greater than said center to center distance.

'8. An Axminster yarn tube having a straight yarn passage of elongated cross section at one end thereof and a yarn receiving mouth of pentagonal cross section at the other end thereof, the center of said mouth being at one side of the axial center of said passage.

9. An Axminster yarn tube having a yarn passage therethrough and having a yarn receiving mouth of pentagonal form, two sides of the mouth being perpendicular to a third side of the mouth and the remaining two sides being oblique with respect to said one side, the center of said mouth being at one side of the axial center of said passage.

10. An Axminster tube frame provided with a carrier bar supporting a single row of aligned yarn tubes, each of which has a yarn receiving mouth, said mouths being arranged in two rows parallel to the row of tubes and at difierent distances from the carrier bar, each mouth being of polygonal form and overlapping adjacent mouths in a direction parallel to said rows.

11. An Axminster tube frame having a yarn spool mounted thereon, a single row of aligned yarn tubes on the frame each having a mouth to receive a yarn from the spool and each having a yarn delivery mouth, the delivery mouths being aligned in a single row and the receiving mouths being aligned in two rows.

12. An Axminster tube frame having a yarn spool mounted thereon, a single row of alignect yarn tubes on the frame each having a mouth to receive a yarn from the spool and each having a' yarn delivery mouth, the delivery mouths being aligned in a single row and the receiving mouths being aligned in two rows parallel to each other and said single row.

13. In an Axminster tube frame having a carrier bar supporting two adjacent yarn tubes each hav-' 7 ing a yarn passage therethrough, said tubes and REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,937,467 Szczerba Nov. 28, 1933 2,342,265 Garrity Feb. 22, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,283 Great Britain of 1908 317,193 Great Britain Aug. 15, 1929 

